Investigation: Arrested King Co. deputy took prescription drugs during shift

The Bellevue Police Department announced Wednesday that a King County Sheriff’s Deputy who was arrested in Newcastle on New Year’s Eve had taken multiple prescription drugs that impaired his ability to operate a vehicle during his shift.

The agency investigated the case and sent its findings to the King County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The prosecutor’s office said a charging decision will likely be made in the next few weeks.

The 46-year-old deputy was arrested Dec. 31 for investigation of physical control of a vehicle – the legal equivalent of DUI when no driving is observed – after someone reported spotting the deputy passed out behind the wheel of his patrol car.

The deputy admitted to taking prescription medications during his shift, according to the Bellevue Police Department.

Bellevue police received lab results on tested blood samples from a Pennsylvania lab indicating that the blood analysis indicated a positive presence of multiple prescription drugs. The Bellevue Police Department says all those drugs contain warnings about operating machinery or vehicles.

The King County Sheriff’s Office is reportedly still investigating the case for internal police violations. The deputy, a 15-year veteran of the agency, has been on “light duty” status, performing clerical work for the sheriff’s office.